I'm extremely surprised and somewhat disappointed that Coachella has yet to establish a comedy tent at the festival when so many other major american festivals (even GV's baby All Points West) seem to have added comedy to their lineups.

It puzzles me even more that they haven't done this considering what a huge success the Comedians of Comedy were in 2007.

I think it would really be a huge asset to the environment on the festival to have a place to go during the day when you were a bit tired of loud music and just wanted to sit down and enjoy something of a completely different but equally as entertaining nature.

So hopefully Coachella will jump on the band-wagon next year and bring us a comedy tent, or at least put more comedians on the lineup along with the musicians (Henry Rollins didn't count btw).

Some comedians/comedy groups I think would be great to see at Coachella next year:

a comedy tent would be okay, but i don't think the festival needs it at all. i'd rather see money that could be spent booking comedians spent on booking more music acts.

sonnyboy11

05-18-2009, 06:25 PM

Jim Jeffries? He's at APW after all. And pretty damn funny. Plenty of him on Youtube and he has a special on HBO right now. Funny guy.

EVillSD

05-18-2009, 06:36 PM

When I go to a music festival, the thing i am there for is music. if you can't pick something between 7 stages (coachella's 5, the dome and do lab) you just don't belong there and should just go to the casinos in Indio for a good comedy show.

DRcube

05-18-2009, 06:38 PM

ANTHONY JESELNIK FTW!!!!
TFnKTs6CXwQ

MissingPerson

05-18-2009, 06:41 PM

For me, the only problem with comedy tents is that I tend to only bother seeing the guys I know for a fact are funny. With music, it's a lot easier to decide to wander in and out of bands you don't know all that well, it's a lot harder to be bothered doing the same with comedy.

Plus, festival crowds can be assholes to comedians, there's a way higher heckler ratio...

esy191

05-19-2009, 01:15 PM

For me, the only problem with comedy tents is that I tend to only bother seeing the guys I know for a fact are funny. With music, it's a lot easier to decide to wander in and out of bands you don't know all that well, it's a lot harder to be bothered doing the same with comedy.

Plus, festival crowds can be assholes to comedians, there's a way higher heckler ratio...

I think it is just as easy to wander in on a comedy tent for a second and then leave if you don't like it. Stay for 5 minutes, if you don't like the 2-6 jokes that comedian tells in that 5 minutes, then leave. Same as with a musician or band, stay for 5 minutes, if you don't like the 1 or 2 songs they play in that 5 minutes, then leave.

Also I always hear people on this board talking about how they research all the bands on the lineup they haven't heard before, months in advance so they can find out if they like them. Why is that not possible with comedians? There are plenty of youtube clips out there of almost every single comedian I named performing so you can get a taste of what they are like.

And yes, festival crowds can be assholes to comedians (and musicians for that matter), but the Coachella crowd is not your average festival crowd. Again, if you had seen the Comedians of Comedy in 2007, you would have witnessed how courteous, gracious, and polite the Coachella crowd can be. Everyone in the tent sat down so that people in the back could see, no one booed or heckled, and everyone laughed and had a really good time.

Hecklers often appear more in comedy clubs than in festivals and tend to be assholes who don't like the comedian but spent $40 to get into a comedy club because of the drink minimum and are stuck there so they chose to just yell at the comedians thinking that will make their night better. If one of those assholes wandered in to the comedy tent and didn't like the comedian, he is not stuck there and can easily leave and go somewhere else if he choses. I'm not saying there would be ZERO hecklers, but there would be significantly less than you might think.

And comedians deal with hecklers or disruptive audience members all the time, they have certain tactics or methods to turn the hecklers words on themselves. Sometimes the best moment of a show can be when a comedian improvises a wonderfully creative and hilarious way of debasing a heckler.

Madhatter

05-19-2009, 01:28 PM

Stephen Lynch.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4V8iH-oQgg

esy191

05-19-2009, 01:38 PM

When I go to a music festival, the thing i am there for is music. if you can't pick something between 7 stages (coachella's 5, the dome and do lab) you just don't belong there and should just go to the casinos in Indio for a good comedy show.

Ok, no.

First of all it is the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Comedians are artists just as much as poets and authors are. And since when was Coachella ONLY music. In the past Goldenvoice has booked, poets, spoken word performers, performance artists, and, yes, COMEDIANS.And last time I checked, GV spends a significant amount of money on the art installations that I believe are one of the things that make Coachella stand out from so many other American music festivals. Even if YOU just come for the music, Coachella has alot more than that to offer.

Secondly, I'm not claiming that I spend alot of time at Coachella sitting around with nothing to do between the 7 stages. Coachella always has a wealth of different kinds of music to offer for everyone at all times. However, I do believe that having a performance stage with something other than music would further add to the wonderful diversity of the festival.

And Thidly, do you really fucking think that the casinos in Indio have anything but tired and failed hack comedians who pander to 60 year old couples looking for safe, unoffesnive, and cliched comedy about "How wacky the differences are between men and women!!! AMIRIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OR AMIRIGHT!!!??" In keeping with the indie spirit of Coachella, the kind of comedians GV would book would be those who may not have their own comedy central specials, but are much smarter and cleverer than many who do. They would be the kind of comedians who play small shows all around the city for fairly little money, but are funnier than those who play stadiums for hundreds of thousands of dollars (*cough*dane cook*cough*carlos mencia*cough*). They would be the kind of comedians whose off-beat and often esoteric sense of humor would keep them from gaining any real mainstream success but would garner them praise and affection in the eyes of the Coachella crowd.

If you want to see what real progressive, intelligent, creative, and down-right hilarious comedy is like, stay out of the casinos and Laugh Factories and try going to the UCB Theater. There is one in Los Angeles on Franklin Blvd and another in New York. The shows are never more than $8 (most are $5 or free), and they feature the best minds in stand-up and sketch comedy today. All of the comedians and performers I listed in my first post have performed there and continue to do so regularly.

crazzz2007

05-19-2009, 02:05 PM

sorry buddy. comedy tent is just not a very good idea. i don't see a demand for it.

heyeric

05-19-2009, 02:16 PM

Comedy at Coachella....? NEGATIVE!

We have enough crazy people and comedians wandering the fields!

esy191

05-19-2009, 02:28 PM

sorry buddy. comedy tent is just not a very good idea. i don't see a demand for it.

Yeah, cause no one knows how good it would be.

You think there was a raging demand for a comedy at Bonnaroo or Sasquatch before they incorporated it into the lineup? No.

But do people love it now and would they be upset if it were taken away? Yes.

Again, it doesn't necessarily have to be a special tent of just comedy, I would just like to see more comedians on the lineup.

I will fight for this until the end*

*or at least until I get tired of fighting for it.

hendrixfan143

05-19-2009, 02:35 PM

no thanks. my day is already filled. and most comedians i can see one day at a club.

SDsoldier7

05-19-2009, 03:17 PM

no comedy tent

but Dave chappelle would be awesome. they dont need a tent dedicated to that, they could just do time slots in the gobi and mojave

M Sparks

05-19-2009, 03:20 PM

Dana Gould's new special is fucking brilliant. I don't know how old it is actually, because I didn't have Showtime for a while, but it's new-ish. I think it's called "Let me put my thoughts inside you."

"QUESTION NOT THE HEIGHT OF MY REQUESTED BACON SERVICE!"

Gribbz

05-19-2009, 03:45 PM

The Comedians of Comedy were hilarious in 07. Pretty fucking packed too.

BillyCrystal

05-19-2009, 03:52 PM

Most people just aren't that interested in seeing comedy at Coachella. If there's one particularly popular comedy act (like Comedians of Comedy in '07), then maybe, but not a whole tent. A music festival should focus on getting great music acts.

There are comedy festivals for comedy fans (and they probably have people who are like, "Know what this needs? A music tent!").

esy191

05-19-2009, 04:42 PM

no comedy tent

but Dave chappelle would be awesome. they dont need a tent dedicated to that, they could just do time slots in the gobi and mojave

Yeah, I'd be perfectly happy to just have comedians doing time slots in the gobi. I just think it would be cool to have comedy on the lineup.

Most people just aren't that interested in seeing comedy at Coachella. If there's one particularly popular comedy act (like Comedians of Comedy in '07), then maybe, but not a whole tent. A music festival should focus on getting great music acts.

Again, Coachella is not just a music festival. Lollapalooza is a music featival. Ozzfest is a music festival. Coachella is a Music and Arts festival. We are aloud to have other things besides music (i.e. art installations) that don't get in the way of the music.

I was just proposing a specific tent for comedy because I thought it would piss people off more if comedy was spliced in with music in the tents. If there was a tent just for comedy then it would never get in your way if you didn't feel like seeing any comedy. And those who wanted to see comedy (and I am positive that there are enough comedy-loving Coachella festival goers to fill a small tent at almost all times of the day) would not be disturbed by disgruntled people who were just waiting there to get a good spot for the music act that was on next.

Dr. Lufs-al-ot

05-19-2009, 04:54 PM

no comedy tent, but a few comedy acts would be nice during the mid afternoon just to chill to.

if you support a comedy tent, why not support a juggling tent? i mean, some people might enjoy it, right? people go to Coachella for the music, just because some people might enjoy something, doesn't mean it needs a tent.

crazzz2007

05-20-2009, 12:59 AM

midget tent

crazzz2007

05-20-2009, 12:59 AM

mime tent

crazzz2007

05-20-2009, 12:59 AM

magic tent

PassiveTheory

05-20-2009, 01:17 AM

Crazzz2007 cleaning the sand out of her vagina tent

Boourns

05-20-2009, 01:27 AM

i wish i had checked out the film festival tent in 2004 since that was its last year.

esy191

05-20-2009, 02:10 AM

if you support a comedy tent, why not support a juggling tent? i mean, some people might enjoy it, right?

Your argument is dumb and I think you know that. I don't wanna explain why it's dumb cause it's 3am and I'm tired of typing out long defenses. Goodnight.

lowfront

05-20-2009, 08:59 AM

I would absolutely love comedians --- no need for a full tent

there is always points in peoples day where they just have to take a break for a few. And what better way to eat some food and relax and laugh your fucking ass off.

Drinkey McDrinkerstein

05-20-2009, 11:31 AM

If you want to see what real progressive, intelligent, creative, and down-right hilarious comedy is like, stay out of the casinos and Laugh Factories and try going to the UCB Theater. There is one in Los Angeles on Franklin Blvd and another in New York. The shows are never more than $8 (most are $5 or free), and they feature the best minds in stand-up and sketch comedy today. All of the comedians and performers I listed in my first post have performed there and continue to do so regularly.

Comedy Death Ray on tuesday nights gives a lot of bang for your buck and every week has special surprise guests. One time I was there and Louis CK showed up unannounced and did an hour set. it was fucking amazing!

it's also BYOB in your backpack style so it really only costs 5 bucks

beavington

05-20-2009, 01:30 PM

Yeah, cause no one knows how good it would be.

You think there was a raging demand for a comedy at Bonnaroo or Sasquatch before they incorporated it into the lineup? No.

But do people love it now and would they be upset if it were taken away? Yes.

Again, it doesn't necessarily have to be a special tent of just comedy, I would just like to see more comedians on the lineup.

I will fight for this until the end*

*or at least until I get tired of fighting for it.

I have been saying that for awhile now...it would be a great addition to the experience. To chill out for a bit of time listen to some good comedy and smoke a joint. I think a comedy tent would be much welcomed...Get rid of the fucking Playstation tent, and the goddamn state farm tent and put it there. (yes i am aware they are sponsors so shut your fucking mouth already about that people)

I think it would be a great relief from the heat so Coachella people get on this!

crazzz2007

05-20-2009, 01:55 PM

Crazzz2007 cleaning the sand out of her vagina tent

you suck at everything....even insults. fuking retard.

PassiveTheory

05-20-2009, 02:10 PM

Aww. Did that sting? Here, this will help:

http://www.columbia.edu/~sf2220/TT2007/web-content/images/douche1.jpg

Just remember to rinse it after you're done. Lord knows what's been trapped up there all these years.

frazzles

05-20-2009, 05:56 PM

I, personally, don't care either way. So with that being said, I'm pretty much for it.

crazzz2007

05-20-2009, 06:18 PM

Aww. Did that sting? Here, this will help:

Just remember to rinse it after you're done. Lord knows what's been trapped up there all these years.

when are you going to figure out that you are FAIL at everything?

Drinkey McDrinkerstein

05-20-2009, 09:10 PM

a comedy tent is really weird thing to vehemently be opposed to

bakersfield

05-20-2009, 11:36 PM

Is Emo Phillips still around?

That was a funny fucker!

PassiveTheory

05-20-2009, 11:40 PM

when are you going to figure out that you are FAIL at everything?

Failure isn't a possessive, sweetheart. You can't be fail; you can fail, like how you completely fail to contribute anything at all here, and how you fail in terms of trying to pass yourself off as some superior, elitist, super bitch, but you fail at that too.

Fuck, you might as well fail at failing while your at it (and shit grammar is definitely the way to go with that).

sleepybrew

05-20-2009, 11:49 PM

personally, i drive 9 hrs one way every year for coachella to see once in a lifetime musicians. yes the atmosphere and scenery are astounding, but the rare music-defining acts are really what get our asses out of our towns for coachella.
a comedy tent would not be something i would be interested in at all. not saying not to do it, but i'd rather see the money spent on the acts and overall festival experience.
i just couldnt imagine coming back from a kraftwerk-portishead-prince (for example) experience and telling people how stunning dave chappele was.
point being...much better way to spend time and money at coachella

psycobetabuckdown

05-21-2009, 12:04 AM

I can't imagine why it would be bad to replace the Dome with a comedy tent. Everyone's there for the music, but plenty of people don't constantly watch music or care about everything that's going on. I do, but I would skip some bands to watch a comedian.

I would not be happy about having to choose between The Cure and Louis CK or something, but that's not really something to complain about - it's more choice.

Personally, I have yet to ever go out of my way to watch a comedy show. I've been meaning to, but my money usually goes toward music. I don't know where these alleged comedy festivals are, but regardless I would benefit from having some at Coachella.

greghead

05-21-2009, 12:17 AM

I'm not opposed to comedians at Coachella, but I'm 100% sure that I would not watch any of them as they would be a waste of my time.

cubrocker

05-21-2009, 04:26 AM

Stephen Lynch.....

i fully support having Stephen Lynch at coachella

midget tent

i fully support having a midget tent at coachella

BUT with all said and done you need to consider that the main-stage beer tent is already the place for the people who cant decide on a band (or got dragged to the fest by their friends who just wanted to see Prince and dont know what to do cause theyve never listened to music in their life)

and with that said... does it mean the comedy tent would be cougar central?

BUT with all said and done you need to consider that the main-stage beer tent is already the place for the people who cant decide on a band (or got dragged to the fest by their friends who just wanted to see Prince and dont know what to do cause theyve never listened to music in their life)

Yeah but that place gets packed and is 21 and over only, so what about those other losers?

I like to lie in the shade in the beer tent and vaguely recognize that The Feeling and Fountains of Wayne are playing, and then get up to watch the Roots when I'm good and ready. However, sometimes there are a ton of people there so I have to sit in the sun or by the fence, or god forbid stand in the crowd.

Although if I dragged someone to Coachella I would make sure they stay away from the comedy tent unless it's someone they really want to see.

esy191

05-21-2009, 06:57 PM

Is Emo Phillips still around?

That was a funny fucker!

Yeah, Emo is still around!

He did a gig in LA a couple months ago with Patton Oswalt. I couldn't make it that night but I heard it was pretty great.

Thanks for reminding me about him. He has now been added to the list in my first post.

Drinkey McDrinkerstein

05-22-2009, 10:22 AM

personally, i drive 9 hrs one way every year for coachella to see once in a lifetime musicians. yes the atmosphere and scenery are astounding, but the rare music-defining acts are really what get our asses out of our towns for coachella.
a comedy tent would not be something i would be interested in at all. not saying not to do it, but i'd rather see the money spent on the acts and overall festival experience.
i just couldnt imagine coming back from a kraftwerk-portishead-prince (for example) experience and telling people how stunning dave chappele was.
point being...much better way to spend time and money at coachella

it's definitely a matter of taste...some people (including myself) get just as much satisfaction out of live comedy as they do live music

i've seen a lot of live stand up in the alst two years...and i was certainly speculative of its worth before...but now it's become one of my favorite things to do

esy191

05-23-2009, 01:13 AM

it's definitely a matter of taste...some people (including myself) get just as much satisfaction out of live comedy as they do live music

i've seen a lot of live stand up in the alst two years...and i was certainly speculative of its worth before...but now it's become one of my favorite things to do

Exactly.

I feel like some of the people who oppose having comedy at Coachella have only been exposed to stand-up on TV (through Comedy Central or HBO). Seeing comedy live has a very very different dynamic to it. You feel much more invested in the performance, you are much more focused, and you feed off the energy of the crowd; all factors that lead to a much more enjoyable and funnier experience than watching comedy on TV could ever be.

And by seeing comedy live, I don't mean seeing Dane Cook in a 18,000 person stadium; there is very little audience connection in that sort of setting. I mean seeing a really great comic in a small theater or club (UCB, Largo, M Bar, etc).

Drinkey McDrinkerstein

05-24-2009, 12:10 PM

And by seeing comedy live, I don't mean seeing Dane Cook in a 18,000 person stadium; there is very little audience connection in that sort of setting. I mean seeing a really great comic in a small theater or club (UCB, Largo, M Bar, etc).

Si, Si!

I have had the pleasure of seeing Bob Odenkirk, Zach Galifinakis, Brian Posehn, Demetri Martin, Jeneane Garafalo, Louis CK, Paul F. Thompkins, David Cross, and a slew of others from 10 feet away at UCB while drinking beer out of a backpack and its such a great experience

PulpNextYear

05-25-2009, 08:34 AM

Sasha Grey tent?

esy191

05-25-2009, 02:58 PM

Sasha Grey tent?

Pants tent.

WhyTheLongFace

05-25-2009, 03:35 PM

There should be a game tent. With a whole bunch of skip its, 4 square, and handball courts. :)

Still-ill

05-25-2009, 04:33 PM

Handball tent.

Drinkey McDrinkerstein

05-26-2009, 12:30 PM

There should be a game tent. With a whole bunch of skip its, 4 square, and handball courts. :)

don't forget tetherball

paganman7

05-26-2009, 12:52 PM

The main stage was a joke this year. Does that count?

PulpNextYear

05-26-2009, 12:54 PM

arts and crafts / scrapbooking tent
they can host a quilting circle in there

sleepybrew

05-26-2009, 01:35 PM

don't forget tetherball

this would be comedy at coachella. and quite popular i'd imagine

goldfromla

05-26-2009, 05:02 PM

half the reason coachella is so epic because alot of these people you probably will not see again. while with comedy you can see the on tv when ever you want or on fucking youtube, because it is the same routine over and over, goiing into a comedy you know what to expect, while going into the sahara or gobi or do lab you dont kno what is coming at you. the best times ive had at coachella are them times where i have walked into the sahara at 3 not knowing who the artist was performing, and have them bring down the house. and with a comedian you simply will not see that, you will know exactly what to expect.